Breaking down the schedules

—The spotlight comes to town for the Big East opener against West Virginia Dec. 26 on CBS. The stakes will be huge against the league’s best team (in this blogger’s opinion). It’s been seven years since the Hall had a home game featured on CBS (a loss to Illinois in 2002). Seems more like a million to those of us who remember regular CBS visits to the Meadowlands in the early 1990s. You can bet the Selection Committee will be watching.

—As the lone major-conference foe on Seton Hall’s non-conference slate, Virginia Tech will be a monumental game on Jan. 2. A loss would kick a dent in the Pirates’ NCAA resume. Cancun is a wacky setting, but getting aired on ESPN2 is not a bad tradeoff.

—The Big East home dates are intriguing, with glamour foes in Syracuse, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame.

—Seven games on national television is a huge leap for the program and a sign of respect.

—The ambitious fan could make a manageable drive to see every game on this schedule except four (Cancun, South Florida, Pittsburgh and West Virginia).

—We’ve heard good things about Monmouth’s new arena, which is finally done after about 150 years of zoning hassles. Don’t be surprised if the Pirates’ Jersey Shore faithful pack the MAC Nov. 15.

LOWLIGHTS:

—Our feelings on the Charmin-softness of the non-conference slate and its potential ramifications are well known.

—Raw deal for season-ticket holders because the two best games (Va. Tech and Cornell) are out of town.

—You’ve got to wonder what the student section is going to look like during two important home games the week between Christmas and New Year’s (West Virginia and Syracuse). Watch Syracuse fans get their hands on tickets.

—Playing Rutgers twice in 10 days at the end of the season is pure buzzkill scheduling by the Big East. Hey dopes, those rivalry games need to be spaced out.

—The Hall doesn’t get a Big East bottom-feeder until Game 8 of their league slate (at USF), although five of those first seven tilts are home.

—The game at St. John’s will be held in — you guessed it — Carnesecca Arena!

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About Jerry Carino

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.

About this Blog

Since its launch in 2006, Hoops Haven has become a staple of the New Jersey basketball community. This is the place to find breaking news, analysis and links about college and high school basketball in the Garden State.

About the Author

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.Email Jerry.